Do your new jeans feel a few inches too long? You do not need an expensive sewing machine or a trip to the tailor to fix them. In this guide, you will learn how to hem jeans by hand while keeping the factory-finished edge intact.
Keeping the original hem preserves the authentic wash, distressing, and heavy thread details that make denim look good. Many people assume denim is too thick to alter manually, but a sturdy needle and strong thread make the job simple. You only need to measure your ideal length, fold the excess fabric behind the cuff, and stitch it securely in place.
This hand-sewing technique works on skinny, straight-leg, and bootcut jeans alike. Best of all, you do not have to cut away any denim. If you ever want to lengthen your pants down the road, simply snip your stitches and press the fabric flat.
Grab a measuring tape, a few pins, a thimble, and matching thread. Watch the video above to see each step clearly and hem your favorite pair of jeans in under an hour.